Powerhouse Divas: Women Changing the Sound of Now

With the ever-changing world of music, currently, women are at the forefront of innovation and creativity. Many take on the role of making genre-bending, introspective music while challenging societal norms that have persisted for ages. These talented women can make music that resonates with people on a personal level while also empowering the listener. They have a cool and effortless vibe with their futuristic, sultry, playful, and ethereal lyrics and melodies.

1. Doja Cat

Doja Cat has taken the world by storm with her playful, genre-bending, and bold approach to making music. She has the ability to mix pop, rap, R&B and electronic influences, blending it up to make magic. It’s no surprise she has gotten features from the biggest dogs in the game. These include Nicki Minaj, The Weeknd, and Ariana Grande.

Also, Doja Cat has the ability to change her imagery with each era of music that she has done. You can see these bold changes from Hot Pink, to Planet Her, and to Scarlet. Her ability to make catchy and addictive hooks and melodies is the magic of Doja Cat. Moreover, her fashion is a huge part of her image. It ties her vibe and the message she’s trying to convey with her music during that point in time.

2. Doechii

Similar to Doja Cat, Doechii uses her influences from rap, pop, and R&B to create phenomenal, engaging music for the listener’s experience. She tends to bring an edgy, energetic, and daring approach to the listener with the most versatile and impressive flows and melodies. You can see the range of Doechii’s musical abilities with songs like “Nissan Altima,” “Something Real” and “Yucky Blucky Fruitcake.” She has something for everyone. She knows how to bring out the rebellious and radical side of people while giving the listener an eargasm.

Her recent album, Alligator Bites Never Heal, magnifies her talent by showcasing her unique blend of sharp lyricism, captivating rhythms, and genre-bending soundscapes. Each track pulls listeners into a world of raw emotion and unapologetic storytelling.

3. Tems

Tems, Tems, Tems! The soul and power in her voice have no choice but to move the listener and make them feel all words and emotions conveyed. Some of her amazing songs like “Free Mind,” “Boy o Boy,” “Burning,” and “Crazy Tings” show you how versatile, vulnerable and fun that she can be all in one. She is an Afrobeat powerhouse and one of a kind in the Nigerian market, which is quite perplexing to see because it’s almost rebellious. Her introspective, raw, and real lyricism put her in a lane of her own that she keeps riding on.

Her debut album, Born in the Wild, is proof that Tems is here to stay, and she is just getting started. As she continues to break boundaries and redefine the sound of Afrobeats and alternative music, one thing is certain: Tems is not just a moment, she’s a movement.

4. Tinashe

Tinashe is a name that has been around for a long time. However, people are not really in tune with Tinashe’s recent work, which, in my opinion, is her best work, and she keeps getting better. With her experimental and futuristic music mixed with her very angelic and soft voice, Tinashe has done nothing but make bops such as “No broke boys,” “Bouncin,” “Link Up,” “Perfect Crime,” and of course, “Nasty.” Tinashe is known for effortlessly blending genres such as R&B, pop, and electronic music. It takes the listener to a dreamy but edgy and danceable world of sound.

Tinashe’s journey is one of self-discovery and reinvention. With each release, she proves that she’s not afraid to evolve, paving her own path in an industry that’s constantly changing.

5. Ayra Starr

Ayra Starr is another Nigerian artist who is pushing a more rebellious image that Nigerians are not culturally used to. She has a very soulful, confident approach to the creation of her music with a particular emphasis on the empowerment of women. Ayra knows how to make your body move with her danceable melodies and empowering lyrics that make you feel like you are the baddest in the room.

Her recent album, The Year I turned 21, shows us a more vulnerable, in depth perspective of Ayra Starr. Versatile topics range from heartbreak, to empowering, to nostalgic, as well as liberation. Songs like “Woman Commando,” “Jazzy’s Song,” “Lagos Love Story,” and “The Kids are Alright” are all songs that can show you a big part of Ayra’s personal identity as well as where she comes from.